Alain Delon was one of our first ever {STYLE IDOL} posts on The Eye of Faith, and quickly became and remains one of our most popular delves into classic timeless cool vintage style. It’s not a surprise – this guy just oozes bad ass nonchalant elegance, sophistication, and beauty!

He is always portrayed as a dangerous type, a rebel, a bad boy, a beautiful bad ass . . . but still very clean cut and classic.

So this year when we found out that the French bad boy would be honoured (and justly so) at this year’s Cannes Film Festival we were thrilled!

For his “wonderful presence in the history of film” the award is definitely just, but delving back into his timeline of wicked looks over the past 50+ years it is impossible to deny his presence in the history of style, as well!

So, in honour of this God of Style we delved deeper into our archive of looks from an icon who is on the level of James Dean or Marilyn Monroe. We are fortunate enough to have him with us still today!

Not all the rebels die young…in fact, you can watch his acceptance speech here (it is in French):

We checked out this brilliant list of 12 of his best cult classics from DW to find some super vibes we hadn’t picked up on in our initial post 7 years ago (yikes!). From baroque to gangster, from dapper to scuba, modern playboy to Victorian dandy…he does it all!

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T.G.I.F.

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Have a sweet weekend friends . . . hope you get a chance to chill!

Not sure if we will, but we will definitely try to make time to let loose and rest our brains for a brief moment.

Remember if you are in Hamilton, Ontario, to visit the SUPERCRAWL POP UP SHOP in Jackson Square where we are selling some of our original pieces made from vintage materials for the very first time! And on top of that, we are amongst 7 of the city’s best brands and designers.

Its been very exciting thus far, and we are set up until the 25th , so please, if you can … .CHECK IT OUT!

Where for art thou, Romeo?

Ro·me·o
ˈrōmēˌō/
noun
noun: Romeo; plural noun: Romeos

1. an attractive, passionate male seducer or lover.

There’s nothing so timeless as a Romeo . . . its amazing after hundreds of years, a fictional character could still be so prevalent in our culture. I guess, not so surprising, considering he was created by the genius that is William Shakespeare.

He is a wonderful archetypal character of a beautiful boy, young and naive, but full of vigour, and somewhat tragic in the end….so, like many young men, which is what most certainly resonates. We recently acquired a really cool vintage theatre costume with some Shakespearean swag which got us thinking on the topic.

I don’t think many men can deny they have a bit of Romeo in them. I know for certain many men cannot deny they wish they were as bad ass as say Leonardo DiCaprio in Baz Luhrmann’s iconic 90s pop culture cult classic “Romeo + Juliet” which brought the tale to the beach and the streets and mansions of Los Angeles for a hyper technicolor MTV version that still resonates today, especially when it comes to style.

Do you remember the first time you watched the “Love at First Sight Scene” in the film with that glorious neon aquarium and that haunting “Kissing You” song playing…shit! I mean, come on!!! Claire Danes is especially gorgeous, and her sensitive acting abilities really shine through.

People would kill me for actually saying this, but they were robbed of Academy Award nominations, truly.

I’m not going to lie, we were pushing the tropical shirts long before every major fashion house started picking up the trend (see: +THE CASE FOR HAWAIIAN SHIRTS+), and we’re not upset about it…in fact, its so wonderful to see more guys take risks with their style because of inspirations like this!

While, Dicaprio’s gang chic Romeo is uber cool, we wanted to look back on some previous Romeos – most especially Leonard Whiting from Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 “Romeo & Juliet”, which is hands down our favourite.

Quick shout out to Douglas Booth in the 2013 version – very handsome guy, but the film is redundant AF – so here’s a quick pic should suffice.

Zeffirelli’s film is unique, as it was the first time two unknown teenage actors were cast in the lead of such a massive Shakespeare production, and a world-wide search brought the world the ethereal youthful beauty of Olivia Hussey (she ain’t no hussy, but she did also star in the cult Canadian horror flick “Black Christmas” – you can’t miss those eyes) who was only 15 at the time, and the handsome Leonard Whiting (17) , who lets face it, really does look like Zac Efron.

Certified, he did it first!

Their chemistry is unpalpable, and the entire production is lush and dripping sophistication- Roger Ebert even went as far to say it is the best film of Shakespeare ever made. Respectfully it was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Picture, and Director, and won for its gorgeous cinematography, and Danilo Donati’s sumptuous costumes.

It even inspired the fashion scene at the time with the two stars appearing in various fashion magazines rocking mod styles with a medieval flare. The two teens were definitely a big IT couple of the moment. So, if you haven’t seen this classic, do yourself a favour already!

Another Romeo might be the OG of movie star Romeos – Leslie Howard who starred opposite of Norma Shearer in George Cukor’s 1936 film. Neither of them really exude that youthful innocence, seeing as they are grown ass adults!

But, the vibe is full-on Hollywood glamour with a dazzle and flare that is just so fabulously extra, and sadly missed today!!! Also, very inspired by Leslie Howard’s perfectly coiffed hair!

We all know the story, so let’s just take a look at a few snaps to spark and inspire the Romeo vibe.

Pretty wicked! So, if you’re looking to channel your inner Romeo, we have some picks for you from the {SHOP}!

Remember, XIXIXI gets you 25% OFF of these, and all our hand-picked curated vintage finds! FREE SHIPPING in CANADA, also. Don’t be shy to message us for any details.

Can you believe it? Just a month and a bit ago we were battling the biggest ice storm ever, and now we are basking in sunlight and showing off our arms! Spring is always a favourite season for us, and allows for tons of serious sartorial diversity.

Before summer comes and reaches its peak of summer style we wanted to showcase some great looks in our {SHOP} which give that signature E.O.F. time traveler cool . . .

School is almost out, but your style studies should always be at its optimal peak! That’s why we have devised a simple A-Z of some our favourite pieces that will help your style star shine. Click the links to find out more details, and remember to use secret code XIXIXI for a special 25% OFF all purchases.

Fresh off our VMP DRAG FASHION FLAUNT at this year’s Vintage Marketplace, we can’t stop thinking about how incredible drag queens are, especially those of the {PAST} who paved the way for the {PRESENT} culture and creativity and will continue to invoke its {FUTURE}.

We know everyone who is anyone keeps up with RuPaul’s Drag Race, and the past season’s ALL STARS edition featured a wickedly hilarious Snatch Game that had Brooklyn babe AJA take on one of Herstory’s most legendary queens – founder of the House of LaBeija, and star of the cult 1968 documentary “The Queen”, Crystal LaBeija!

And she took her on with gusto and glamour, and also delivered this beautiful spirit back into the forum of the mainstream…much in the way Jinx Monsoon brought us Little Edie of “Grey Gardens”, and Sasha Velour took on Marlene Dietrich; keeping these divinities alive for younger generations is absolutely key!

How sad it is when you hear a young man or woman denote they have no idea who these iconic legends are . . . stay educated, kids!

“The Queen” is a fabulous film directed by Frank Simon, and provides an up close and candid look at the behind of the scenes of the 1967 All-America Camp Beauty Contest in New York City. It is a wonderful portrait of a time gone by. . . New York City is rough and tough, and men from all around America shack up in tiny hotel rooms in anticipation of the pageant discussing the difficulties of being gay in America. They are all fabulous, and its wonderful to see their final transformations from the male versions of them you see in rehearsals. This transformation truly proves the power of style and image to invoke strength from within.

Illustrated herstory by Laurel Lynn-Leake

By far, the most fabulous moment has to be Crystal’s freak out when she is named fourth place storms out and then rips everyone a new one backstage. Absolutely ICONIC…you are going to have to see it to believe it! And if you are a fan of Drag Race, you will really appreciate what Aja brought to the table even more.

We stumbled upon a full version of the film on Youtube, so check it out below and enjoy!

We love moments like this in pop culture where the {PAST} races into the {PRESENT} and ultimately shapes our {FUTURE}. . . rebel queens like Crystal LaBeija will live on far past those who chose not to be the truest, most incredible versions of themselves.

If you’re what they call a shy guy…

There must have been a really urgent calling to help young men who suffered from social anxiety during the Post War period, because this is just one of dozens of educational films distributed to schools throughout America dealing with this.

This one is one of the best called “SHY GUY” and stars Dick York who played the first Darrin Stephens in the cult classic “Bewitched”!

Its quite entertaining, and on top of that, the classic vintage styles of these high school students are on fleek! Special shout out to the many wicked graphic sweaters that the “popular” kids are ALL rocking.

“Whats he got that makes people like him so much?”

attitude.

I think its best to be yourself, but this boy trades out his dapper suit and ties for the more relaxed cool kid vibe of some trousers and a graphic sweater, but sure enough it works, so what do I know?! So many cool jackets and bombers, and then there’s the classic hair!!!

They don’t make them like they used to! Enough hype, watch the video below courtesy of Old Time TV on Youtube!

BEST ADVICE FROM DAD: Just observe what people are doing then imitate them (well, essentially that’s what he says)….thanks Dad! Sociopath much?! As always, I say be yourself and the rest will follow.

“…you don’t know how to get people to like you and you end up holding a grudge against them…”

Life can be so hard for your average teen!

We have some pieces in the {SHOP} we thought reminded us of the “SHY GUY” vibe!

Visit our {SHOP} for more details on these and more time traveled vintage finds…

{circa. 1950}

It has come to my attention that there may be people out there who have no idea about Sunset Boulevard – only one of the best films of all time by iconic director Billy Wilder. This disturbs me slightly, so here’s a glimmer of that inspiration in guise of one of our classic {MUSIC MINUTE}s.

Scored by legendary Hollywood composer Franz Waxman, the moody jazzy score provides the perfect sultry and mysterious backdrop for this strange tale. If I had a dime for every time I said “they don’t make them like they used to” . . . but this film is the epitome of that sentiment.

The film opens as a murder investigation, but delves into the twisted depths of an aging silent movie starlet who coerced a handsome screenwriter to be her live-in gigolo. When he decides its time to leave, things get very . . . dramatic.

Gloria Swanson who was an aging silent movie star herself brings such complexity, vulnerability, and diva strength – you are sure to be shook. On top of that, the film is a gorgeous display of midcentury Hollywood style and glamour; from the grandeur of the mansion (which was also used in Rebel Without a Cause) littered with gold leaf, exotic mouldings, tapestries, and furs to some seriously chic loungewear – there really is inspiration at every turn.

So watch these Main Titles, take in that awesome score, and get yourself a copy of Sunset Boulevard!

You wont regret it.

Just doing our duty of bring the {past} to the {present} to shape the {future}.

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The men and women who inspire…Style Idols and Divinities are unique individuals with style beyond the things they wear, but also the way they lived. Delve into their unique stories accompanied by an expansive array of photos to muse over!

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NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

The Eye of Faith {Vintage} is a brand dedicated to integrating time traveled wisdom from the {past} with the {present} to help shape the {future}. It is an age old symbol of believing in oneself, and having faith in your dreams. No longer must we be lost. We are a burgeoning society dedicated to an alternative to the purchase of affordable fashion forward apparel, accessories, and home decor. We also provide design services and consultation, as well as costume and styling. At our core, we are a source of inspiration and musing.
Please enjoy your time here.
If you have any questions, please email the.eye.of.faith@gmail.com